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It would be unrealistic if this book were to tell you that there were absolutely no cons or setbacks that are involved when you take on the South Beach Diet. Now that the last chapter went over the advantages of the South Beach Diet, this chapter will look at some of the disadvantages that you should be aware of before adhering to this diet plan. Of course, this information is not meant to deter you from engaging with the diet in its entirety; rather, this information should provide you with information that can inform and prepare you for the diet so that maximum results are possible. After reading this chapter, you will have a complete understanding of what you’re getting into when you decide to take on the South Beach Diet.
Disadvantage 1 of the South Beach Diet: Exclusion of Many Carbohydrates
If you’re someone who is currently living on a diet that is heavy in carbohydrates, then the South Beach Diet may be a bit difficult for you to sustain over the short-term. Your body is going to really have to wean itself off of the carbohydrates that you’re intaking on a daily basis in order to truly see results while on this diet. Carbohydrates are what fuel the body and keep it energized. If you take away carbohydrates from the body too quickly and you are someone who is constantly eating them, then the result that you’re going to feel is fatigue, dehydration, and a general sense of weakness. To compensate for this potential feeling of lethargy, it might be a good idea to gently wean yourself off of carbohydrates prior to starting the South Beach Diet. This way, you are shocking your body less and you’re able to start the South Beach Diet on a more positive foot.
Disadvantage 2 of the South Beach Diet: The Exclusion of Fruits
There are not many diets out there that are going to ask that you exclude fruits from your diet. Of course, the complete elimination of fruits is only for the first two weeks while on the South Beach Diet, but this is still something that is a bit obscure as diets go. While you are not allowed to eat fruits in the first phase of the South Beach Diet, the second and third phases will allow you to do so. Below is a list of the approved fruits that you can eat later while on the South Beach Diet:
As you can see from this list, this is not a complete list of all fruits that exist in the world. When you’re on the South Beach Diet, you’re prohibited from eating fruits such as watermelon, bananas, figs, dates, raisins, prunes, or even canned fruit. There are both good fruits and bad fruits that are listed on the South Beach Diet, and it’s important to follow these restrictions to the fullest extent possible. Otherwise, it’s likely that you will not see the results which you’re hoping. On the other hand, who wants to go around avoiding fruit while they’re dieting? This is why the prohibition of fruits while on the South Beach Diet is seen as a disadvantage to the Diet itself; although, when you eliminate fruits you are going to see weight loss because all fruits are loaded with carbohydrates and sugar.
Disadvantage 3 of the South Beach Diet: You Can’t Go Back to Your “Normal” Eating Habits
Again, this particular disadvantage is only a negative if you’re someone who is not looking to truly change your diet and eating habits over the long-term. The South Beach Diet is prepping you to completely overhaul your current eating habits. If you’re overweight, it’s obvious that you’re not eating in the healthiest way possible for yourself. There is simply no way that you’ll be able to lose weight and keep it off unless you completely change what you’re eating on a daily basis. This includes removing a lot of the saturated fats that we have already discussed in the previous chapter. If you think that the South Beach Diet is a “temporary” solution that will somehow provide you with long-term results, this logic is simply false and not true.
Disadvantage 4 of the South Beach Diet: It Does Not Necessarily Promote an Active Lifestyle
If you don’t supplement the South Beach Diet with a lot of protein, then it is going to be difficult for you to work out regularly. Of course, the idea that carbohydrates largely make up your ability to work out and feel strong during the workout is not entirely true; protein is also important. However, you will need to be consuming carbohydrates if you’re going to be supplementing the South Beach Diet with a hardcore workout regimen. How do you go about reconciling the need to work out and the need for carbohydrates at the same time? It is advised that you do not work out during the first two weeks of the South Beach Diet during phase one. The simple fact of the matter is that you’re going to be feeling too “out of it”, and working out while you’re not consuming any carbohydrates is not healthy. After the first two weeks of the diet, you should start working out if you want to, but you need to make sure that you’re eating the allotted amount of daily fruits and carbohydrates for which the Diet recommends.
Another way to think about working out while you’re on the South Beach Diet is the idea that food should be used a fuel rather than for pleasure. This is essentially what the South Beach Diet is promoting. You need to be careful to not over-do your workout routine while you’re on the South Beach Diet, because you do need to sustain a certain number of calories per day in order to live a healthy and strong life; however, you can certainly get away with eating the specified amount of carbohydrates and fruit throughout the day if you are being moderately active instead of intensely active.
Disadvantage 5 of the South Beach Diet: Pricier than Other Types of Diets
If you’re someone who is used to eating mostly pasta or other types of grains, then you know that these foods are pretty inexpensive. The South Beach Diet relies on protein that can be found in meats and dairy products. Meat, in particular, is more expensive than pasta, rice, and bread, so if you’re already on a tight budget, you may find that the diet is not going to be effective for you from a cost perspective. If you are thinking that you are going to skimp on your meat intake during the South Beach Diet to save some money, this is not a good idea. The South Beach Diet relies heavily on meat, and if you’re already eliminating starch then what do you plan on eating? If you don’t have the budget to buy a lot of meat on a regular basis, then it’s safe to say that the South Beach Diet should not be attempted by you.
Along these same lines, if you’re vegetarian then it is not recommended that you attempt the South Beach Diet. As was already mentioned, the South Beach Diet is one that heavily relies on meat. If you’re trying to cut out carbohydrates while not eating meat, then what do you plan on eating besides vegetables? Beans are certainly high in protein, but they are not going to provide you with the energy that you need in order to feel satisfied and full throughout the day. If you’re a vegetarian, then the South Beach Diet is one that probably will not find you much success. It’s as simple as that.
Disadvantage 6 of the South Beach Diet: It’s a Commitment
It’s rather illogical to think that the South Beach Diet is going to be a piece of cake or a walk in the park. The primary reason why the South Beach Diet requires constant dedication is because you’re likely going to be engaging in a diet that is foreign to your body. When you eliminate many types of foods from the diet that you’re regularly used to, the result may be that you start to think about food nonstop. Instead of being able to go about your day with relative ease, you’re going to be noticing your cravings, your level of irritation over feeling hungry, and the desire for more food in your body. If you’re not prepared for these types of feelings and frustrations from the onset of the South Beach Diet, then it’s likely that you will quit when the going gets tough. Prepare yourself mentally for the South Beach Diet, and you’ll be more likely to see the results that you seek.
